Steven Trotter

I have been a senior and system leader in education for over a decade, with experience across large suburban schools, small rural schools, and residential programs, in both primary and secondary sectors. I completed my Masters in experiential education and have authored and co-authored several books on curriculum design and my passion, leadership. I am recognised as a school principal and a system leader who has served as an executive chair of two different principal professional networks.

I have a deep passion for and expertise in leadership development and adult learning architecture. I have established an innovative, research-driven, and entrepreneurial approach to differentiated leadership growth, focusing on transforming how leaders learn, adapt, and flourish in dynamic and contrasting environments.

Recently, I partnered with a schools leadership team to drive a strategic and unified approach to school improvement. Through this collaboration, we co-designed a unique, robust leadership framework that fosters a culture of accountability, coherence, and sustained impact, ensuring consistent implementation and long-term success. More importantly, we strengthened professional relationships and respect by understanding the individual capital, beliefs, and values that underpin each leaders approach.

For these leaders, it initially felt like constructing an IKEA flatpack. The team knew what the end product should look like, but the real challenge was understanding the how of successful and stress-free construction. I enabled the leaders to accelerate their understanding of the how to intentionally organise the parts, delegate roles, and collaborate in the construction process; how to communicate the steps clearly and effectively; how to analyse progress to ensure the right pieces are fitting together; and, most importantly, how to transform a complex task into a seemingly simple process by leaning on each other and acknowledging and celebrating their colleagues contributions.

Unlike many leadership development cycles or opportunities, I offer an alternative approach that encourages learning, reflection, and growth as an individual before embarking on leading those around you. My approach is designed to drive transformative impact and elevate learning environments to new heights. I offer a unique blend of expertise as an experienced school and system leader, merging the latest research, advanced facilitation, speaking and communication skills, and an unwavering desire to strengthen educational leadership.

My approach aligns leaders and leadership teams through individual and team collaborative learning sessions, mentoring and coaching, both face-to-face and online. Workshops are tailored to the needs of the environment and the people while delivering simple yet effective learning opportunities. Additionally, keynote and facilitation sessions are designed to engage and enhance our impact and perception of what turns a good leader into a great leader.

Many leaders are grappling with overwhelm, overload, and burnout, causing quality and future leaders to leave the profession. They feel the weight of their roles and the pressure of competing priorities. The way I see it, there are three key challenges for the leaders I help:

1. Understanding Leadership is a ‘how’ not a ‘what’. They know why and what educational improvement areas they are leading; however, they don’t have a clear, intentional model of how they are leading improvement.

2. They struggle to compartmentalise their work challenges, the pressure, the stress, or both, making it difficult to work through, and see beyond the overload and overwhelm of their work.

3. Due to the compounding effects of pressure and/or stress (point #2), they often struggle to see the micro-moments of significance in their daily work and their people, to celebrate and savour.

I guide leaders to discover there is ‘a better way of leading’. By enriching their leadership capabilities, defining their personal and team parameters and limits, and adopting an intentional, strategic approach to leadership, I accelerate the transition from inadvertently impulsive or reactive decision-making to an intentional, strategic, planned model of leadership. This enhances leaders cognitive load and fosters effective and mindful leadership.